Figured maple frame

I have been saving several chunks of incredibly high figured maple that I got lucky to find at a place that salvages felled city trees. It was a perfect match for one of my recent subtractive paintings for a patron’s anniversary. I was shooting for a Green&Green style with lap joints, but elected to not put in pegs of a contrasting color once I saw the painting in the frame. Would have been far too busy. I re-sawed to 9/16”, and book match the figure on each side of the frame. And the back are mitered pine to hold on the painting. Thanks for looking. ~ e

-- " 'Truth' is like a beautiful flower, unique to each plant and to the season it blossoms ... 'Fact' is the root and leaf, allowing the plant grow and bloom again."

Thanks everyone for your praise. Subtractive painting is really a generalized name for removing color. Mine is more complex… I build up texture with an acrylic Gesso, go over it with either tempera or thinned acrylic paints… pull off where I want white again.. then cover the whole surface with graphite and pull out the exact image I want, add details, and pop highlights. I learned the method my first year of college back in ‘89, but only did a few pictures. I picked it up again in 2008, and have not stopped since and the technique has evolved with me, growing in color use and detail. I am entering a bas relief phase now… and experimented with ancient methods of making gesso for picture frames, so I can do reproductions. I can finish a painting in days, so I have been making more of them than woodworking lately,. but at least it gives me a reason to make frames and try new ideas.

-- " 'Truth' is like a beautiful flower, unique to each plant and to the season it blossoms ... 'Fact' is the root and leaf, allowing the plant grow and bloom again."

I like the way you incorporated the cloud lift motif into the joints. The overall shape of the frame has the G&G look and adding the cloud lift sets it off. With that touch, omitting the ebony plugs was a good choice.

-- If the world was a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.

First class work EP. the frame stands out then the background moves back and the lady steps forward. All the componets, colors,shades, intensifies each other creating a very moving piece of art. Just splendid EP!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. "Helen Keller"